Integrated installation procedure for multiple installation sets

Abstract

A method for installing an updated software application onto the client computer from an original installation set and an update installation set is presented. The method comprises obtaining the original installation set that includes components which, when installed on the client computer, form the original software application. The original software application is installed from the original installation set. The installation uses a product key that includes installation information indicating whether an update installation set is available. A determination is made, according to the installation information in the product key, as to whether an update installation set is available. If it is determined that an update installation set is available, the update installation set is obtained. The update installation set includes components that form the updated software application when installed. The updated software application is then installed onto the client computer from the update installation set.

1 . A computer-readable medium bearing computer-executable instructions which, when executed on a computer system, carry out a method for installing an updated software application onto the client computer from an original installation set and an update installation set, the method comprising: 
 obtaining the original installation set including components which, when installed on the client computer, form the original software application;    installing the original software application onto the client computer from the original installation set using a product key, wherein the product key includes installation information indicating whether an update installation set is available;    determining whether an update installation set is available according to the installation information in the product key; and    if it is determined that an update installation set is available: 
 obtaining the update installation set including components which, when installed onto the original software application, form the updated software application; and  
 installing the updated software application onto the client computer from the update installation set.  
   
   
   
       2 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises, if it is determined that an update installation set is available, executing a linkage component that obtains the update installation set and installs the updated installation application onto the client computer from the update installation set.  
   
   
       3 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 2 , wherein the original installation set further includes the linkage component, and where the linkage component is installed on the client computer with the installation of the original software application.  
   
   
       4 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 3 , wherein the linkage component executes an update installation process associated with the update installation set to install the updated software application onto the client computer.  
   
   
       5 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4 , wherein the update installation process is located with the update installation set.  
   
   
       6 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4 , wherein the method further comprises, if it is determined that an update installation set is available, locating the update installation set, and installing the updated application software only if the update installation set is located.  
   
   
       7 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4 , wherein the product key contains encrypted information, and the installation information is decrypted from the product key during installation of the original software application.  
   
   
       8 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 7 , wherein the decrypted installation information is stored in the client computer's system registry.  
   
   
       9 . A method for installing an updated software application onto a client computer from an original installation set and an update installation set, the method comprising: 
 obtaining the original installation set including components which, when installed on the client computer, form the original software application;    installing the original software application onto the client computer from the original installation set using an encrypted product key, wherein the product key includes encrypted information including installation information indicating whether an update installation set is available;    decrypting the product key and determining whether an update installation set is available according to the decrypted installation information; and    if it is determined that an update installation set is available: 
 obtaining the update installation set including components which, when installed onto the original software application, form the updated software application; and  
 installing the updated software application onto the client computer from the update installation set.  
   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising executing a linkage component that obtains the update installation set and installs the updated installation application onto the client computer from the update installation set if it is determined that an update installation set is available.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the original installation set further includes the linkage component that is installed on the client computer with the installation of the original software application.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the linkage component executes an update installation process located on the update installation set to install the updated software application onto the client computer.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising, if it is determined that an update installation set is available, attempting to located the update installation set, and installing the updated application software only if the update installation set is located.  
   
   
       14 . A computer-readable medium bearing computer-executable instructions which, when executed on a computer system having a processor, memory, and a storage, implement a method for installing an updated software application onto the client computer from an original installation set and an update installation set, the method comprising: 
 obtaining the original installation set including components which, when installed on the client computer, form the original software application;    obtaining a product key for use in installing the updated software application onto the client computer, wherein the product key includes encrypted information including installation information that indicates whether an update installation set is available in addition to the original installation set;    installing the original software application onto the client computer from the original installation set using the product key;    decrypting the installation information from the product key and determining whether an update installation set is available according to the decrypted installation information; and    if it is determined that an update installation set is available: 
 obtaining the update installation set including components which, when installed onto the original software application, form the updated software application; and  
 installing the updated software application onto the client computer from the update installation set.  
   
   
   
       15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 14 , wherein the method further comprises executing a linkage component that obtains the update installation set and installs the updated installation application onto the client computer from the update installation set if it is determined that an update installation set is available.  
   
   
       16 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the linkage component that is installed from the original installation set onto the client computer with the installation of the original software application.  
   
   
       17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , wherein the linkage component executes an update installation process located on the update installation set to install the updated software application onto the client computer.  
   
   
       18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , the method further comprising, if it is determined that an update installation set is available, attempting to located the update installation set, and installing the updated application software only if the update installation set is located.  
   
   
       19 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the update installation set and the original installation set are located on computer-readable media.  
   
   
       20 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 18 , wherein the update installation set and the original installation set are located on a remote network accessible storage device.